By Wes Annac, Editor, Culture of Awareness

As any writer will tell you, creating something worth reading is a long and arduous process. It’s not easy, and the long periods of silence and isolation it requires would deter most people from pursuing it.

Writing mostly involves staring aimlessly at the paper, computer screen, etc. waiting for something genuine to come through. This can discourage new writers who expect the words to flow and assume they aren’t good at it if the words don’t.

As human and spiritual beings, we’re creative by nature. However, creativity and the higher consciousness from which it’s born won’t just appear without any effort on our part.

Taking time to sit in silence and tap into the creative, meditative flow will reveal the spark sought by creative minds, but it requires diligence and the willingness to look beyond the ego’s attempts to distract and discourage you.

Writing Requires Confidence

Every form of creativity requires confidence; especially writing.

The communication of ideas in a way that’s sophisticated, clear and approachable for readers has been turned into a complex art form with rules and high expectations. Society makes you think that if you want to write, you’d better be good at it.

“And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”
― Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

Doubtful thoughts will probably be in full swing the whole time you write, so you’ll need enough confidence not to loathe your work (or yourself) when you struggle.

One of the reasons writing is such hard work is that it requires a level of dedication unnecessary with many other jobs.

You should work hard at any job, but the independence writing gives you makes dedication to the work more important than usual.

Not to mention that editing what you write takes much longer than writing it.

Time and Energy

If you decide to write for a living, you’ll learn that it takes twice as much time and energy as a regular office job.

Writing and editing my work consumes most of my day and night, and I’ve realized that it’s important to occasionally break away from the work and get out to nature or pick up the guitar and sing.

Because of the time and effort it requires, taking breaks from it and doing other things you love is essential.

The pressure that comes with writing can be just as taxing as the time and energy spent on it, and it’s nice to retreat from it and do something else that carries no pressure to do well or succeed.

Why Bother?

With all the hassle involved, why would I or anyone else write? I can’t speak for others, but I write because it feeds the soul.

It gives me an outlet to express myself and share wisdom from what I can only describe as a higher consciousness, and it helps me reconnect with myself on a spiritual level.

“Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.”
― Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own

I’m unaware of half the things you read here until I write them; they come to me while writing and without this outlet, I’d remain unaware of them.

Writing strengthens the intuition and my connection with Source, so for me, it doesn’t matter how much time I spend on it.

It doesn’t matter how fast or slow the words flow, even if at times they don’t flow at all. None of it bothers me, because I know that it’s all part of the process and the result will be enlightenment through service to humanity.

Dedication Leads to Higher Consciousness

Anything intended to bring you closer to enlightenment requires dedication. None of it will help you in a real or lasting way if utilized occasionally; it may help you at the time but the wisdom you gain from it won’t last.

By connecting you with what you seek regularly, dedication leads straight to a higher consciousness. Nothing will stop you if you’re dedicated; even things you didn’t stand a chance against before.

“You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.”
― Ray Bradbury, Zen in the Art of Writing

If you stay dedicated, your resolve will grow so strong that you’ll willingly refrain from anything that inhibits you.

All those things that used to have power over you will be seen for what they are: inferior to the life you’ve created in service to Source and a world that’s evolving to reflect the seeds of enlightenment being sown in the hearts of the masses.

Discovering Your Gift

Writing might seem pointless at first glance; especially if you struggle to do it well. However, if you hang in there and try your best to hone the skill, you’ll eventually see that you have a gift. When you discover your gift, you’ll know it didn’t come overnight.

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”
― Louis L’Amour

It’ll be the result of your dedication and work, and nothing will feel better than knowing you have a talent you worked hard for (and will get better and better at until you reach superhuman status).

In my eyes, a superhuman state of being is what we in the spiritual community strive for. We want to see beyond simple, mundane human existence into the greater, more perplexing and amazing realities that wait for us beyond the horizons of the common man.

We want to transcend the limitations of the physical world and see into higher states of being with heightened awareness and full understanding of the oneness of all creation.

For me, writing provides a path straight to this heightened awareness as long as I return to it each day.

Live With Purpose

Commitment is easier some days than others, but even when I struggle, I know I’m living my purpose.

I’m doing my best to share wisdom from my soul and knowledge from all corners of the conscious community, and as long as I continue to write, I can be certain I’m not wasting the short time I have on this earth.

This encourages me to keep going, and regardless of any stress that may come with it, I know this is what I’m meant to do.

In an ideal world, we would all follow our passion and the struggle for survival would give way to a new era in creativity and innovation. We have to create this kind of world before we can see it, however, so live your dreams now without fear or hesitation.

“Go into the arts. I’m not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake.

“Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you [possibly] can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.”  ― Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country

For me, writing provides the perfect amount of discipline and creative release to help me nourish my soul while hopefully uplifting you.

It provides an outlet for self-expression and an opportunity for independent living, and nothing feels better than being your own boss and scheduling a meditation or walk in nature whenever you want.

Most importantly, it helps you reach people whom you can genuinely help.